Orthopaedic surgeon in Covid-19 pandemic: Indian scenario

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic has revolutionized global healthcare in an unprecedented way with unimaginable consequences. SARS-CoV-2 has spread worldwide and WHO declared it a pandemic on March 11th, 20201,2. Hospitals have been restructured to provide the best care to COVID-19 patients while adhering to preventive strategies not to increase infection spread. Due to huge burden on healthcare services, COVID-19 has even affected specialities that are indirectly related to its clinical effects such as orthopedic surgery.. Healthcare providers have been recruited in COVID-19 management despite their original specialty. Indications for elective treatments have been reprioritized. Outpatient department protocols have been restructured to reduce contacts between patients and the hospital staff. Orthopaedic patient management has also been significantly affected by the pandemic. In this review, our aim is to analyze how Indian orthopaedic practice has been affected by COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Attention has been given to enlist surgical indication, perioperative care and safe management of both inpatients and outpatients.